Wait, don’t throw away that old phone lying around! Instead, give it a second life. That phone, which may seem useless now, can actually be repurposed in many creative ways. It’s way more useful than just storing it away or getting rid of it.
If you’re curious about all the virtually endless possibilities, check out this article for 10 clever ideas to turn that forgotten phone into something valuable once again!
What To Do With Your Old Cell Phone: Fun and Practical Ways to Recycle
Turn Your Old Phone into a Lifeline for Someone in Need
Why let it sit when it can save a life? Instead of letting your old phone collect dust in a drawer, donate it to someone who truly needs it.
Organizations like
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Cell Phones for Soldiers: Refurbishes donated phones and sells them to fund calling cards for troops, helping them stay connected with their families while abroad.
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911 Cell Phone Bank: Provides phones programmed to call emergency services, specifically for people who may not have access to a phone in crisis situations, such as domestic violence survivors.
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National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Accepts phone donations to help survivors stay connected with support networks and rebuild their lives.
Donating your phone not only helps people during critical times but also keeps electronics out of landfills. It’s a simple way to do something meaningful with something you no longer use. Plus, it’s an environmentally responsible way to recycle technology and reduce e-waste.
Sell That Old Phone To Make Some Quick Cash
Your old phone, the one you have lying around, could be worth a decent chunk of cash. Selling your old device is a good way to make quick money. You’ve got several options, depending on how hands-on you want to be.
If you’re comfortable dealing with buyers directly, list it on sites like eBay, Craigslist, or OLX. You’ll usually make more money this way, but you’ll need to handle messaging, negotiating, and shipping.
If you prefer something hassle-free, check out trade-in programs from Verizon, AT&T, or Apple—they’ll give you store credit or a discount on a new phone. You can also use resale platforms like SellCell, Cashify, or Instacash, which either compare prices from buyback companies or offer instant quotes and pickup. If you’ve got more than one device to sell, try setting up an online store through platforms like Ecwid to reach more buyers.
Recycle Your Old Phone Properly to Protect the Planet
Recycling your unused device is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to save the environment. When you throw electronics in the trash, they end up in landfills where harmful materials like lead and mercury can leak into the soil and water.
Instead of contributing to this vicious cycle, you can take your phone to places like Best Buy, Staples, or your mobile carrier’s store—they often have recycling bins or work with certified e-waste recyclers.
Another great option is using an EcoATM kiosk, where you can drop in your phone and get some cash on the spot. Also, many states run free e-waste recycling programs. For that, you’ll need to check your local government website to see what’s available near you. Even phone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung offer trade-in or recycling programs, where your old device can either be refurbished or broken down to recover valuable materials like copper, gold, and silver.
Before recycling, don’t forget to erase your personal data, take out the SIM card, and remove the battery if needed. With just a few simple steps, you can prevent pollution, and give your phone a second life.
Transform It into a DIY Home Security System
If you’ve got an old unused phone, you can actually turn it into a DIY home security system. It’s easier than you might think. With just a few steps, that outdated device can help keep your home safer.
Start by downloading a security camera app like Alfred or Manything. They let your old phone function as a live-streaming camera with motion detection and cloud storage. Just place the unused smartphone near doors or windows, or anywhere you want to keep an eye on. Then, you’ll use your current phone to check in anytime, from anywhere. Make sure it’s stable (a phone mount or tripod helps) and keep it plugged in so it doesn’t run out of battery.
You can even rig an alarm system using an old keypad phone, or a few household items. It can be programmed to call you when triggered. Either way, reusing your old cell phone like this is a smart, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly way to improve your home security.
Turn Your Old Phone Into a Kid-Friendly Learning Device
Repurposing your old cell phone into a dedicated device just for your kids is smart and practical. It gives them a fun, safe way to play games, watch cartoons, and explore educational apps—without needing to borrow your phone every time.
Start by wiping any personal data and setting the phone up with age-appropriate content like ABCmouse or PBS Kids. You can also install parental controls using Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time to manage what they can access and for how long.
For more peace of mind, you can even disable internet access to keep it offline and safer. It’s also recommended to keep the device in a shared space or set clear times when it can be used. This not only saves your phone from sticky fingers and accidental taps but also teaches your kids to use technology responsibly.
Turn It into a Music Machine
Turn that old phone into a jukebox and get more value out of a device you’re no longer using! First, factory reset to wipe any old data, uninstall unnecessary apps, disable auto-updates, and remove any screen locks that might get in the way. Then, install your favorite music apps like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or even Poweramp if you want to play your own files. If your phone supports it, insert a microSD card to expand storage for more songs and playlists.
Once it’s all setup, connect the phone to Bluetooth speakers or headphones for wireless setup (or use an aux cable for older systems).
One of the best things about turning that old device into a music player is that it helps save your main phone’s battery for the stuff that really matters, especially on those long music marathons. It’s also perfect for travel, workouts, or just having a music system in your car. And with offline downloads, your favorite playlists and podcasts are always ready to go, so you don’t need to rely on Wi-Fi or data.
Using your old phone as a music player is a fun, budget-friendly upgrade that keeps the music going. Photo by Remy_Loz on Unsplash
Make It Your Dedicated GPS & Travel Companion
Don’t get rid of that old smartphone lying around. Turn it into a dedicated GPS and travel companion. It can make travel a lot smoother and save your main phone’s battery for more important things like photos, messages, or emergency calls.
Start by giving the old smartphone a clean slate: factory reset it, delete any junk, and disable apps you don’t really need. Then, install navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze, or offline options like Maps.me. It’s best to download offline maps of the areas you’re traveling through, so you won’t get stuck if there’s no signal. Finally, mount the phone securely in your car, on your bike, or attach it to your hiking backpack. There are plenty of mounts and waterproof cases designed for different activities and weather.
If you make this your go-to setup for traveling, your main phone stays fully charged and ready for the most important tasks. Meanwhile, your old phone becomes a reliable, distraction-free navigation tool.
Turn It into the Ultimate Smart Home Controller
Tired of constantly losing the remote? Here’s a great idea for what to do with your old cell phone: turn it into a smart home remote. With just a bit of setup, it can take control of your entire home—TVs, lights, thermostats, and more—all from one device.
To do this, you’ll need to factory reset and install apps like Google Home, Alexa, or other specific ones like Roku, Chromecast, or Fire TV. Once done, connect the phone to your smart home devices using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Now voilà, you’ve got one remote to control them all—your shows, lights, temperature, and even run preset routines like a “Good Night” mode that locks the doors and turns off the lights. It works especially well with popular systems and voice assistants.
You’ll never have to search for batteries or wonder where the remote went again. It’s a simple, effective way to repurpose your phone and make life at home a lot easier.
Convert That Old Device into a High-Def Webcam
You don’t need to spend money on a high-end webcam to improve your video call quality. You just need an old smartphone. This is a more affordable option, perfect for video conferences, streaming, or content creation.
To set it up, download apps like DroidCam or EpocCam, which enable your phone to connect to your computer via Wi-Fi or USB. After installing the required software on your laptop or desktop, follow the app’s instructions to pair the devices. Once connected, you can configure settings such as resolution and frame rate for the best video quality.
Using your old phone as a webcam is great for Zoom meetings, streaming, remote learning, or professional presentations.
Bonus: Repurpose Your Old Phone with an eSIM
Imagine you’re traveling abroad, and your main phone suddenly stops working because it’s locked or has network problems. Instead of panicking, you’ve already set up an eSIM on your old phone.
Here’s how it works: Before you leave, you activate an eSIM on your old device, along with your primary phone’s SIM. Now, when you arrive at your destination, your main phone might struggle with roaming or network compatibility issues, but your old phone with the eSIM is ready to go. You can easily switch between the two phones if needed, keeping one as a backup while staying connected.
In short, eSIMs can be a reliable backup without the hassle of physical SIM cards, offering you more flexibility and peace of mind during your trip. Try an eSIM from Yoho Mobile today and enjoy the best connectivity wherever you go!
